Beattys Overseas

My great-Aunt Bridgie told us during a recent visit that seeing my family in Culacrick in the town of Annagary, Donegal would not be a problem, even on short notice.  Or, even, with no notice at all. She was also very excited at the prospect that we'd visit "Den Johhny" the house where she and her older sister (my grandmother), Annie [nee O'Donnell] Gallagher, were born.  They were the first of 10 children born to Daniel and Gainnie (Grace) O'Donnell.  

Aunt Bridgie regaled us with great stories about her childhood home and home town, then gave us two contact names, no numbers and said to send her love.  When I asked how I'd get in touch with her cousin Rosha Ferry and the rest of the cousins she said, "Just get there.  The word will get out that you're there, and people will find you."  I was so proud of my family!

Now, I had been to Annagary with my immediate family and the Love's back in 2000, so I had some recollection of the town and the cemetery behind the church where my great grandparents on my Mom's side are buried along with their daughter, Sarah Roarty and her husband, Uncle Jimmy.  Even though we hadn't called a soul to announce ourselves, based on Aunt Bridgie's confidence I was not concerned at all.  Well, maybe just a little bit.

 I'd been telling Whitney during our long drive North from Donegal town how "the cousin's" had operated, both in Donegal and in New York.  In between her moans about queasiness in her tummy from the road I told her about the visits to and from Ireland and Scotland, and how the cousins (my Mom, her siblings, cousins in the USA and those in Ireland and Scotland) had been getting together over the years, and how wonderfully the old relationships have endured and new ones been created, all across the pond. 

We arrived early afternoon Monday having taken the N56, certainly the longest, curviest, windiest, waviest and bumpiest two lane highway ever cut into the earth. Following Aunt Bridgie's instructions we went straight to the Annagary Post Office to seek out Bridge Dora, our 1st contact person.  Only Monday happened to be a bank holiday, and the post office was closed.  What we didn't know was that Bridge Dora lives right behind the office, and we could have met her had we only rang her bell.  We are very sorry we missed her, but will certainly see her on our next visit!

On then we went down the road, thinking that I'd find the cemetery and have to leave town with out saying hello to anyone I was related to.  I was also feeling bit nervous about my ability to find "Den Johnny".  Aunt Bridgie had given Whitney and I clear instructions to also seek out cousin Una Ferry, her own cousin Rosha Ferry's Daughter.  Well, I had no idea who was who.  I had heard the names many many times over the years but always thought that my Mom or her sisters' Pat, Grace or Rose Marie would always be present to clear up any introductions.  Oops!

Feeling a bit lost we soon pulled up to Benjie's pub, where we introduced ourselves to the bartender and explained our predicament.  He smiled and said "maybe one of the boys can help ya."  Just then one of the 3 gents in the pub introduced himself.   "Sure", said Bernard.  "I know Rosha Ferry.  Do you have a car?  I'll take you to her."   After some lovely conversation, in which Bernard informed us that we'd not only taken the long route, but also the most nauseating, so much so that he only travels it alone, in order to have time to be car sick  :) we headed out.  Off we went up the road, just one quick turnoff and soon we saw Bernard pulling over to speak to a woman standing in front of a house.   I thought for sure he was lost and that we faced a long day ahead! As it turns out, we did have a long day ahead, but with great reason.  This woman WAS Rosha Ferry! 

Two minutes earlier we had been lost and were planning a hasty exit from my ancestor's hometown, the current home of many of the cousin's we had looked so forward to seeing.  Now we were out of the car, kisses and hugs, whisked into the house in front of a gorgeous fire, and Rosha put the call out that "the yanks" had arrived.

Visiting with the Ferry family

Then in came her daughters Una and Anne, and their cousin Patrick, and Una's daughter Marian, and what a fantastic time we had!  While the introductions were still happening, I admitted to my beautiful and understanding cousins that I was under the impression that they were a lot older than they actually were; since my 96-year old Aunt Bridgie has spoken of them so often, I assumed they were all in their 80s! Soon platters of delicious sandwiches appeared with a pots of tea and chocolates and sweets, and I was forced to eat until I thought I'd be rolled out of the house.  The ladies were fantastically sweet and kind.  The calls went out, as Aunt Bridgie said they would, and in 50 minutes I had taken four phone calls on Rosha's line. 

Whitney and I soon had dinner plans for later on, a place to sleep that night, and arrangements were being made for our Scotland leg to visit Auntie Mary, Bridgie's sister, in Glasgow!  Even Auntie Mary rang the phone to welcome us!

It was incredible.  Whitney and I laughed and laughed.  We loved meeting everyone.  We talked about the family, and all of our lives, and we felt so at home.  After Rosha took care of arranging for us to see Den Johnny's, we all headed outside for a quick photo, said our goodbyes and Whitney and I headed down the road. 

One of the calls I had taken at Rosha's was from cousin Sadie, who insisted on driving from Letterkenny (45 minutes to an hour away!) to bring the keys to open Den Johnny's, which is still in the family and used by its owner, cousin Michael O'Donnell, during the summers.  She was joined there by our cousin Daniel Roarty (son of Sara and Jimmy) and his daughters Sheila & Kathleen, who all graciously braved the cold, wet day to light a fire in Den Johnny's and sit and catch up with us.  We had last been together there before, when they hosted me at Den Johnny's the first time in 2000. 
at DenJohnny's!The girls are almost grown now, and funny and beautiful, and again we had a great time.  We walked around inside and outside, and talked about the lives that the O'Donnells had.  We talked about the ones who emigrated, and the sickness, and the tragedy of Aunt Sara.  We talked about life in that house and those born after the oldest had left, and the lives of Aunt Bridgie and Annie and Mary and then Daniel pointed out that the family had never once been together under one roof. 

And we were humbled.

Again, we said our thank you's and goodbyes in front of Den Johnny's, and took some pics and hugged and off we went to Leitier - a lovely area off of the Gweebara River - Donegal to meet more cousins!  

Another call I took at Rosha's was from cousin Grace [O'Donnell] McGeehan, who graciously opened her stunning home for a delicious supper, great conversation and a beautifully warm bed.   Since her home was a bit off the main road, arrangements were made for her brother, Daniel O'Donnell to meet us at a pub near her home and lead us back.  Well, I'll admit I'd done a fair share of driving, and it was dark, and by the time we found the pub it was late and we'd passed it at least once going too far.  We were lagging.

When we entered the pub, I didn't recognize anyone, so I was again a bit deflated.  We stepped up to the bar and as my eyes searched the room, I took out my mobile to once again pester Grace with apologies and questions.  I then heard the gentleman to my left say "You can put your phone away."   A handshake and a smile later we were whisked back to Grace's where we shared a huge delicious home cooked meal.  We were heartily welcomed by Grace, and we loved talking with her daughter Aileen, who has recently left Dublin where she was teaching elementary school students in a very tough neighborhood;  so tough, I'd seen the exact neighborhood once on a BBC special!  Grace's husband Danny was missed, as he was away on holiday.

Cousin Daniel's stories (and his recognition of my status as a charmer) endeared him to me almost as much as when he said, 30 seconds into our mention of visiting Glasgow, "I guess you're stayin' with me, then."  What a great guy.  When I attempted to explain who was who back in New York over dinner, he said, "You don't need to explain the relationships to me, I know who everyone is," he proved it by entertaining us with his great travel tales.  We look forward to his hospitality in Scotland.  He's even offered to pick us up at the airport, and he threatened to have the rest of the Scotland cousins come out so we might meet them as well!

John and Grace

Monday night at Grace's and Aileen's was truly wonderful, and today began with a lovely breakfast and chat with Grace, who spent the morning with us and made us feel like we were really welcome.   Her home isn't just aesthetically pleasing, but - like Rosha's beautiful home - it's a place where Whitney and I were made to feel wonderfully comfortable and cozy.  And we loved it!  Thank you!

- John